15:12 The priests sanctified themselves so they would be prepared to carry the Ark. To sanctify literally means “to separate,” to set apart for sacred purposes, to purify. The priests symbolically separated themselves from sin and evil. This was done by washing themselves and their clothing in a special ceremony (Numbers 8:5-8). While we are not required to carry out such ceremonies today, we can purify ourselves by reading God’s Word, thoughtfully applying it to our lives, and preparing our hearts to participate in worship through anticipation, self-examination, and meditation. Just as we “set apart” time for worship, we also “set apart” ourselves to be in God’s presence.
15:13 “At the first” refers to the incident recorded in 13:8-11 and 2 Samuel 6:1-11. As the Ark was being brought back to Israel on an oxcart, the oxen stumbled. Uzza, trying to steady the Ark with his hand, was killed instantly for touching it. The mistake was not in David’s desire to move the Ark but in his method for its return. David either ignored or was unaware of the specific instructions in God’s law about how the Ark was to be moved. Obviously he had discovered his mistake and was now preparing to correct it. This incident was a divine object lesson to all Israel that God governed the king and not the other way around. If David had been allowed to handle the Ark of God carelessly, what would that have said to the people about their faith?
15:13-15 When David’s first attempt to move the Ark failed (13:8-14), he learned an important lesson: When God gives specific instructions, it is wise to follow them precisely. This time David saw to it that the Levites carried the Ark (Numbers 4:5-15). We may not fully understand the reasons behind God’s instructions, but we do know that his wisdom is complete and his judgment infallible. The way to know God’s instructions is to know his Word. But just as children do not understand the reasons for all their parents’ instructions until they are older, we may not understand all of God’s reasons in this life. It is far better to obey God first and then discover the reasons. We are never free to disobey God just because we don’t understand.
15:16-25 The great musical procession was designed as a worthy accompaniment to this great occasion. It heightened the excitement, elevated the people’s hearts and minds, and focused their attention on the event. It also helped seal it in their memory for years to come. Beginning any task by praising God can inspire us to give him our best. Develop the practice of giving praise to God, and you will experience greater joy and strength to face anything.
15:22 Chenaniah had developed his musical skills, and this led to greater opportunities for service. Do you have natural skills that could be used in God’s service? Let Chenaniah’s example inspire you to develop and refine them so that you can offer them as valuable gifts to the Lord.
15:29 David was willing to look foolish in the eyes of some people in order to express his thankfulness to God fully and honestly. In contrast, Michal was so disgusted by his undignified actions that she could not rejoice in the Ark’s return to Jerusalem. Worship had so deteriorated under the reign of her father, Saul, that it had become stilted and ritualistic. Michal could accept David as a military conqueror and as a king, but she could not accept his free and spontaneous expression of praise to God. Some devoted people may look foolish to us in their heartfelt expressions of worship, but we must accept them. In the same way, we should not be afraid to worship God with whatever expressions seem appropriate.